Australian Billiards & Snooker Council

News

Robertson Just Misses Double Maximum
11 Jun 2006

Neil Robertson came close to making history at the WA Bins West Coast International by making a maximum 147 break and then following it up with another attempt two frames later – but falling one ball short to miss the final black on 140.

The feat of two maximum breaks in the same game under tournament conditions has never been achieved, but Robertson is in the elite group to come so tantalisingly close.

The first break came out of the blue, nobody was expecting it in the second round match. However, as the break grew so did the crowd, and the air of excitement. Play stopped on the other tables as the balls kept dropping – red, black, red, black. Robertson was never out of position and potted the balls almost with an air of nonchalance – he’d done it before, achieving the maximum in the final of last year’s event.

As the last red and black were potted, the tension in the air grew, with perfect position and the colours on their spots the maximum was on. Robertson did not disappoint and the crowd erupted as the final black was deposited for the 147.

You could be forgiven for thinking the action was over, but two frames later it was déjà vu – red, black, red, black. There were a few more positional difficulties this time, with two reds on the side cushions to be negotiated, but Robertson gained ideal position on each of them to continue the clearance.

When he reached the colours on 120 there was just one difference – the pink was not on its spot, meaning a little more work had to be done to seal the maximum. Yellow, green, brown and blue went without a hitch – position on the pink meant he needed to knock it into the middle pocket and go up and down the table to get back onto the black.

The white was heading straight down the middle of the table towards the black and the crowd cheered as it made a half ball contact to leave a chance at the black. However, the white was hard up on the top cushion with the black about two inches out, making the pot quite tricky. Robertson played with gentle touch and the black looked to be heading in, but it just caught the jaw and sat there – the whole crowd and even Neil himself were stunned.

Neil continued his form throughout the tournament, treating the crowd to an exhibition of snooker at its best, winning the final 5-0 over Daniel Jones.